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Korak clamped his teeth together and bit back an angry retort. His mother once told him that if he grew angry and defensive at an accusation of another, it meant he was guilty of what he had been accused of. If the scheme was to work, he must pretend to all, even Lady Arshalous, that he loved the Princess.
Morashk, still skulking in the shadows, noticed that his master was refraining from answering. Good, good! He had seen many sharp words exchanged between the Lord Korak and the Lady Arshalous, and in all of them Korak had answered without thinking. But if only he could keep his face from speaking! The way he coloured, the way he paled, the way he scowled, the way fear slipped slowly in... his face was too expressive. Morashk resolved he would bring it up. Was he not his master's advisor?
"What of the fact that you are helping me?" said Korak, drawing himself up. Ah, now he towered above her! It gave him a feeling of strength. "You live in a world of illusion. You think the fact that I accepted your help means I am stooping. This is not so. I told the King I would fund the building of the temple, and never spoke a word to ask you for help. I was not even present when you agreed to assist me." He was standing in the doorway, true, but what did that matter? "'Twas the King asked your help, not I. You consented. And I, as a gracious, noble act, accepted your offer of help. I see nothing humbling about this."
Morashk was creeping closer. The Lady Arshalous would have a reply ready. She was not one to give in to defeated rage, as her cousin was. The Lord Korak would perhaps need assistance.
But Korak gave his cousin no time to answer. It was an effective way, he thought, to end words with the victory on his side. He had the last word, whether she wanted to speak her not. He bowed slightly at the waist, with a cruel, mocking smile. "I bid you good day, cousin," he said. "Your assistance in building the temple earns my utter thanks. 'Tis a pity that the King so called you to do what you vehemently opposed. But, my lady, it is a good cause, as all things you oppose are." And then he turned and strode away to find the Princess Gjeelea.
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